Rocket Lab Acquires Geost, LLC From LightRidge Solutions (ATL Partners) and Forms Trident Solutions Defense Electronics Platform

Rocket Lab Acquires Geost (Parent Holding Company) from Lightridge Solutions

August 12, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

Rocket Lab completed its $275 million acquisition of the parent holding company of Geost, LLC, a developer of electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor payloads for national security space missions. The deal integrates Geost’s sensing technologies into Rocket Lab’s end-to-end space solutions offering, with Geost continuing operations in Arizona and Virginia.

LightRidge Solutions Acquires Trident Systems

July 17, 2023

Aerospace & Defense

LightRidge Solutions, a portfolio company of ATL Partners, has acquired Trident Systems, a provider of high-performance space electronics and C4ISR solutions. The add-on deal — terms not disclosed — expands LightRidge's capabilities in space mission computing, increases Trident's production capacity, and brings complementary engineering talent into the LightRidge platform.

ATL Partners Acquires Majority Stake in GEOST

August 18, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

New York-based private equity firm ATL Partners has made a majority investment in GEOST, a Tucson, Arizona designer and integrator of small-to-medium electro-optical/infrared sensors for national security space missions. ATL plans to scale GEOST through organic growth, new production capacity and strategic bolt-on acquisitions to expand the company's product capabilities in space domain awareness and related subsystems.

Firmament Invests in LightRidge Solutions Holdings LLC

October 5, 2023

Aerospace & Defense

Firmament announced a capital investment in LightRidge Solutions Holdings LLC to provide structured equity and credit financing to the space- and defense-focused platform. The investment will support LightRidge’s continued platform build and capability expansion—LightRidge (an ATL Partners-backed platform) has previously added GEOST and Ophir and recently integrated Trident Systems to expand space electronics, sensing and C4ISR capabilities.

Rocket Lab Acquires Advanced Solutions, Inc.

October 12, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. completed the acquisition of Advanced Solutions, Inc. (ASI), a Colorado-based aerospace engineering firm specializing in flight software, mission simulation, and GNC, for $40 million plus up to $5.5 million of performance-based earnouts. The deal expands Rocket Lab's Space Systems capabilities and integrates ASI's proven flight software and GNC expertise into Rocket Lab's Photon and broader spacecraft offerings.

General Atomics (GA-EMS) Acquires MLD Technologies, LLC

August 25, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

General Atomics has acquired the business of MLD Technologies, LLC and will integrate it into General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS). The purchase brings MLD's expertise in ion-beam-sputtered optical coatings and laser-damage resistant thin-films into GA-EMS to support development and production of high-power laser weapon systems.